The Blessing of a Child

What a week it has been - we drove to California on Tuesday morning slightly excited and anxious to meet our 5th grandbaby.  We arrived at the hospital around 11 and was informed that things were progressing quickly for Corynn - we were able to sneak in a quick visit with J and Corynn before the epidural and said a prayer, encouraged her and kissed and hug both of them before heading to the waiting room with Grandpa John, Minga Linda (Corynn's godmother) and Callee.  We were soon joined by Auntie Robin, cousin Kayla, brother John and Cayden (the little 2 yr old he babysits), Aunt Lucy and Uncle Ed, cousin Cameron and gf Stephanie, bf Brian and brother David.  We got word about 5:30 that the pushing would begin so Callee quickly left our group to join Jason in encouraging Corynn. 

We were quite the group trying to look into the window of the labor and delivery room and catch a glimpse of the activity going on.  We had to gauge what was happening and how she was progressive by the back of Jason's head and the placement of lighting in the room.  We all became TV doctors as we narrated J's every move, anticipating the thumbs up that she was here!  We had some good laughs as we tried to be patient knowing it could be a while until Gianna made her debut.  Finally at 6:34 pm we saw Jason disappear from view for a few minutes only to return with the thumbs up, Gianna Marie Stuck was finally here!  And about that time, Otto saw a hummingbird hunker down in her nest in a tree limb right outside the window.  I think every time I see a hummingbird now, all the memories of this blessed day will return to mind at a moment's notice!

It took a little bit of time to finally make it in to see the new family of three, but it was sure worth the wait.  Gianna Marie is a beauty and the smiles on Corynn and J's faces truly convey their happiness and excitement as they think about getting home and settling in with their new little girl.


And the angels danced the day you were born!  Okay, so the penguins danced too!

Pictures to follow -

Are You In God's Way?

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that in due time he may exalt you. Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7



Anxiety.  We all feel it from time to time and it can creep up and overtake our life if we let it.
As we go through our day, it may feel like we aren't gaining any ground or reaching our goals, or have the answers we are looking for.  My daily devotional this past weeknd said 'leave your day to Jesus, don't get in his way' and then I received this scripture in my email this morning with a note about not turning it over to God and getting in the way of God's plan by making your own plan.
What do we do in these times?  Where do we turn?  Well, 1 Peter 5:7 answers that question with 'cast all your cares on him, for he cares for you'. 

I know I say every day that 'I am giving it to God' but do I really?  Or, do I go about the day trying to control the situation with 'my plan'?

My goal this week is to stay out of God's way and not make plans that may take me off course.  I will try and allow God to shine through me, and I will allow him to lead me!

Strong Enough

I was listening to Matthew West sing 'Strong Enough' this morning and he belts out my absolutely favorite verse  'I can do all things, in Christ who gives me strength' and it got me thinking.  Thinking, am I strong enough?  Well, not really on my own I'm not.  These columns are remnants of a city built 2,000 years ago, unearthed recently and on display.  They once held up marble walls, statues and arches that made up the streets of Ephesus.  On their own, they only look like columns, but when joined with other columns and sheets of marble they make up a complete, strong and sturdy structure.

Ruins at Ephesus, Turkey

This is sure a time in our lives where Otto and I need to be strong.  But, we have to remember we are not strong enough on our own, we need God who is our strength.  We don't know what lies ahead for us, but we need to have faith, and know that God is by our side giving us strength, being our strength.

Here's a few lines from the song.

"I know I'm not strong enough to be
everything that I'm supposed to be
I give up
I'm not strong enough
Hands of mercy won't you cover me
Lord right now I'm asking you to be
Strong enough
Strong enough
For the both of us"

We should remember, we don't have to take on the world alone, because he is our strength and all we really need is Him!

You can check out Matthew's song on YouTube 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUGIE46gplk